HC stays eviction from forest land

Published: Friday, July 18, 2008, 15:38 [IST]

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Jabalpur, July 18 (UNI) The Madhya Pradesh High Court has stayed eviction of tribals in Betul district's Ghodapadmal village until settlement of encroachment on forest land under the Forest Rights Act,2006.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice A K Patnaik and Justice Prakash Shrivastava ordered to maintain the status quo yesterday after hearing a petition filed by social activist Shamim Modi.

In the petition Ms Modi said the government officials had beaten up and opened fire on the tribals charging them with encroachment on forest land in 2004.

The petitioner also alleged that the police had registered false cases against herself, her husband and other activists.

The court also ordered the government to give compensation of Rs 10,000 each to three tribal activists Mangal Singh, Sukhram and Phool Singh within two months for producing them in the court in handcuffs. The court said the government, if it wanted, might recover the compensation amount from the guilty officials. It also directed the government to provide security to the petitioner.

Tbe court also ordered the government to initiate action under the Forest Conservation Act 1980 on the basis of a report submitted in the court in a case of illegal mining in Betul district.